IP/C/R/TC/CHE/4  
 
15 September 2023  
(23-6182)  Page: 1/14 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects  of 
Intellectual Property Rights  Original:  English   
 
TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES:  
INFORMATION FROM MEMBERS  
SWITZERLAND  
The following communication, dated 11 September 2023 , is being circulated at the request  of the 
delegation of Switzerland . 
 
_______________  
 
 
INTRODUCTION  
1.  Based on its legal mandate, the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (hereafter "IPI") 
takes part in technical cooperation in the area of intellectual property (IP). This cooperation takes 
place either independently or in collaboration with oth er Swiss national and/or international 
institutions.  
2.  Technical cooperation in the field of IP facilitates a more efficient operation of the competent IP 
authorities in the partner countries. This can be achieved, for example, through the training of 
releva nt employees, or assistance in drafting and implementing legislation.  
3.  Reforms in the area of IP are designed to create an environment that is more conducive to 
business to improve the socio -economic situation in project countries. This involves, in particu lar: 
a. boosting the investment climate, promoting access to new sectors and markets, fostering 
creative industries, and promoting research and innovation;  
b. developing technology and knowledge transfer;  
c. strengthening protection of geographical indications; and  
d. preventing piracy and the trade of counterfeit goods (e.g., medicines, auto parts, and 
batteries) to better protect human health and the environment.  
4.  The aim of Switzerland 's technical cooperation in the field of IP is to protect IP in par tner countries 
in an appropriate, effective, measurable and easily applicable manner. This involves assessing and 
balancing the economic benefits and the interests of all those affected by IP rights. The objectives 
should also contribute to the implementat ion of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  
5.  The Global Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR), funded by the Swiss Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO), supports developing and least developed countries as well as emerging 
economies in  building efficient and effective protection for IP rights to encourage economic 
development and facilitate the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade -Related Aspects of 
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) . 
 
 
 
  
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- 2 - ANNEX1 
Name of programme or project  Colombian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (COLIPRI) Phase ll  
Date and end date  1 October 2019 - 31 December 2024  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Colombia  
Brief description  The overall goal of the project is "to contribute that entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Colombia 
benefit from an improved intellectual property system ". 
Beneficiary institution or audience  Superintendencia de Industria y C omercio (SIC), Colombia Dirección Nacional de Derecho de Autor (DNDA), 
Colombia Selected public sector, private sector and academia representatives  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IP I); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  Under Component A, "The national IP Policy has been updated, is being implemented and enforced according to its 
action plan ": 
1. Supporting the consultation of interest groups and the preparation and official launch of the new National IP 
Strategy (adopted in November 2021, including an action plan and milestones);  
2. Conducting a legal gap analysis of industrial design legislation and its compatibility with the Hague system;  
3. Conducting a legal gap analysis of geographical indication legislation and a feasibility study in regard to the 
Geneva Act of the Lisbon System;  
4. Evaluating 12 handicraft geographical indication products using the GI impact assessment methodology.  
5. Transcribing video court hearings regarding industrial property to make jurisprudence available in a public 
database.  
Under Component B, "IPR registr ation and administration entities provide efficient and user -friendly services ": 
6. Drafting a study on the non -payment of copyright remuneration to CMOs;  
7. Drafting a guide on best practices for CMO management and oversight for the DNDA.  
Under Component C, "IPR entities, academia and private sector representatives promote the acquisition, use and 
transfer of IPRs to potential users ":   
8. Creating promotional videos on copyright for the DNDA;   
9. Creating a new IP course module for entrepreneurs, togethe r with Colombia Productiva;  
10. Organizing two regional exchanges among producers of geographical indications in the Huila and Santander 
departments of Colombia, following the "Col-Col" (Colombia exchanges with Colombia) modality;  
11. Supporting the second  regional virtual training on geographical indications for Latin America;  
12. Participation of four representatives from Colombia in a study tour on the Swiss system of geographical 
indications and in an international conference on geographical indications  in France.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/colombia -phase -2?L=3    
Contact point for further information  Nathalie Hirsig: Nathalie.Hirsig@ipi. ch  
 
1 In English only .  
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- 3 -  
Name of programme or project  Albanian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (ALSIP)  
Date and end date  1 March 2020 - 29 February 2024  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Albania  
Brief description  The overall goal of the project is "to contribute that entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Albania 
benefit from effective protection of IP objects. " 
Beneficiary institution or audience  General Directorate of Industrial Property (GDIP) (Ministry of Finance and Economy) Copyright Directorate (Ministry 
of Culture), State Inspectorate of Market Surveillance (SIMS) Other selected partners of the national IP system  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal I nstitute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO)   
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- 4 - Name of programme or project  Albanian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (ALSIP)  
Outputs or impact  Under Component A, "Improved IP legislation and effective implementation of the national IP strategy contribute to 
better framework c onditions for investment and innovation ":   
1. Drafting a risk methodology and a regulation regarding the sustainable destruction process for pirated and 
counterfeit goods.  
2. Drafting an IP inspection guide for SIMS.  
3. Drafting bylaws on orphan works u nder copyright law.   
4. Drafting a feasibility study on "Copyright in the online environment ".   
5. Drafting a regulation on GI certification.  
6. Supporting the promotion of the National IP Strategy   
Under Component B, "Well-functioning intellectual pro perty rights (IPRs) registration and administration entities 
provide efficient and user -friendly services ":  
1. Translation into Albanian and publication of the EUIPO Guidelines on trademarks and patents, as well as the 
Hague Agreement and Paris Convention .   
2. Drafting a guide on the application and certification process for geographical indications for interested applicants 
and producers.  
3. Drafting a manual on the importance of geographical indications and the protection of traditional specialities.  
4. Two-day training session for the Albanian Commission on Geographical Indications.  
5. Supporting an application for one national and one international geographical indication registration (ongoing).  
6. Participation of the Director of the Copyright Dir ectorate in the WIPO High -Level Meeting on Copyright 
Enforcement in the Digital Environment in South Korea.   
Under Component C, "IPR entities, private and academia representatives are strengthened in the promotion, 
acquisition, use and transfer of IPRs to potential users ":   
1. Five workshops by national and international consultants on drafting the GDIP Training Centre 's strategy for 
promoting its services.     
2. Establishment of an IP network between private stakeholders and public IP institution s to disseminate knowledge 
about IP.  
3. Workshop in Saranda, Albania, for tourism operators on IP and tourism.   
4. Two dedicated workshops with female artisans and entrepreneurs on the protection of IP.  
5. A report on the inventory of Albanian GI produc ts and assessment of the situation of Albania 's registered GIs.   
Under Component D, "Enforcement of IPRs is strengthened ":    
1. Supporting Albania 's second World IP Day in April 2023.  
2. A dedicated workshop with judges and prosecutors presenting a manu al on the "Investigation and prosecution of 
criminal IP offenses in Albania " for policymaking and enforcement institutions.   
Under Component E, "Awareness of Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) and IPR commercialization as part 
of innovation process i s increased ": Printing and regional distribution of a "Guide on IP for Start -ups" (in Albanian).  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/albania?L=0%22  
Contact point for fur ther information  Olga Allemann: Olga.Allemann@ipi.ch   Nathalie Hirsig: Nathalie.Hirsig@ipi.ch    
  
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- 5 - Name of programme or project  Iranian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (IRSIP)  
Date and end date  1 January 2020 - 31 December 2023  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Iran 
Brief description  The overall objective of the IRSIP is to strengthen the Iranian intellectual property system, to improve business 
competitiveness and commercialization of intellectual property assets, and to make a positive impact on Iran 's 
economic development.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Iranian Intel lectual Property Centre (IPC), Ministry of Agriculture Jahad (MAJ), Ministry of Cultural Heritage, 
Handicrafts and Tourism (MCHT), Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), and other selected partners of the national 
IP system, Iranian GI producers and other se lected private sector representatives  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing & Funding Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI)  
Outputs or impact  Under Component A, "Laws, rules, strategies, and procedures to support the protection and commercialization of 
IPRs and the development of the creative economy are strengthened ":   
• Five training & coaching sessions and one mission by a Swiss expert to Iran on drafting a national GI strategy.  
• Six exchange sessions with Iranian  public authorities on the GI protection policy & framework.  
• One assessment study of the Iranian GI protection framework.  
• Mission to Iran and 2 workshops for the IPC, MAJ, and IRICA to establish the first Iranian National GI Committee.  
Under Component B, "Iran's IP protection system is improved for its users ": 
• 4 online trainings on patent examination for the IPC staff.   
• 7 further online trainings on IP for Iranian start -ups and SMEs. With the successful closure of this activity, a t otal 
of 1,444 persons (823 men and 621 women) were trained on various IP topics.   
• 11 further online advanced trainings on patent drafting for Iranian patent agents. With the successful closure of 
this activity, a total of 612 persons (311 men and 301 wo men) were trained on advanced topics of patent drafting.  
Under Component C, "The economic value, business competitiveness, and sustainability of registered Iranian 
geographical indications (GIs) are recognized and demonstrated ": 
• Supporting the GI produc ers of Zilou of Meybod in establishing their GI association and adopting the quality control 
plan for their product.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/iran  
Contact point for further information  Zeinab Ghafouri: Zeinab.Ghafouri@ipi.ch  
  
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- 6 - Name of programme or project  Peruvian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (PESIPRO), Phase 2  
Date and end date  1 June 2022 - 30 November 2026  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Peru 
Brief description  The project 's overall objective is that private sector, academic, and civil society actors benefit from a stronger IP 
system and strategically use IP rights for their development.   
The following four outcomes of the project are closely interlinked with each other at different levels of the IP system 
and are expected to contribute towards this overall objective:   
• Peruvian private sector and research institutes make better use of the patent and industrial design systems.  
• Increased capacity of the Peruvian systems o f denominations of origin (DO), geographical indications (GIs), 
collective trademarks, and traditional specialties guaranteed (TSG).  
• Increased knowledge of the Peruvian creative industry and decision makers about copyright.  
• Support of Peruvian Governme nt efforts to promote the protection of traditional knowledge related to biological 
resources.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Peruvian National Institute for the Defence of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property – Indecopi Selected 
private sector partners  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  The implementation of project is underway and activities planned include:  
• Guidelines for business associations on the commercial use of industrial designs and patents by MSMEs have been 
drafted and disseminated to assist MSMEs with making better use of their IP assets;  
• Training has been provided to INDECOPI on how to set up and manage a system of Traditional Specialities 
Guaranteed (TSG) in order to strengthen the use of IPRs in the promotion of Peruvian gastronomy and tourism;  
• Ongoing support is be ing provided to the Peruvian promotion agency PROMPERU to strengthen its country brand 
for coffee (marca sectorial cafés del Perú) to access higher value -added markets;  
• A GI management organisation for Cacao Amazonas Perú has been set up and is being st rengthened to manage 
their GI.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/peru?L=3  
Contact point for further information  Reto Meili: Reto.Meili@ipi.ch   
  
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- 7 - Name of programme or project  Free-of-Charge Searches for WIPO on behalf of Developing Countries (WIPO Searches)  
Date and end date  16 July 2012 - 31 December 2024  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Algeria; Andorra; Azerbaijan; Bahamas; Belarus; Bhutan; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Comoros; Curaçao; Equatorial 
Guinea; Ethiopia; Hol y See; Iran; Iraq; Lebanese Republic; Libya; Sao Tomé and Principe; Serbia; Somalia; South 
Sudan; Sudan; Syrian Arab Republic; Timor -Leste; Uzbekistan  
Brief description  Since 1987, the IPI has participated in WIPO 's Patent Information Services for Developing Countries (WPIS) and 
has handled individual requests for patent information (state -of-the-art search reports). Additionally, since 1 January 
2011, the IPI has participated in the International Cooperation on Exa mination (ICE) part of WPIS. Therein, the IPI 
not only provides "state-of-the-art search reports ", but also "search and examination reports ". These types of 
reports are provided to facilitate national patent applications in the beneficiary countries. The p rogramme supports 
the national patent offices in building their competence in search and examination procedures, and helps to 
strengthen the patent system and legal certainty worldwide. Between September 2021 and August 2022, six ICE -
reports were provided (three for Kenya, and one each for Madagascar, Samoa and Djibouti).  
Beneficiary institution or audience   
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  1. Supporting national patent authorities in developing countries in increasing their competence in the area of search 
and examination procedures, and thus strengthening the patent system and legal certainty worldwide.  
2. Supporting research institutions and national patent authorities in developing countries in the use of patent 
information and in e stablishing a functioning system for the protection of intellectual property in order to promote 
innovation.  
Website for further information   
Contact point for further information  Markus Funk: Markus.Funk@ipi.ch  
  
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- 8 - Name of programme or project  Global Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR)  
Date and end date  7 June 2018 - 31 December 2025  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Andorra; Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bahamas; 
Kingdom of Bahrain; Bangladesh; Barbados; Belarus; Belize; Benin; Bhutan; Plurinational State of Bolivia; Bosnia 
and Herz egovina; Botswana; Brazil; Brunei Darussalam; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; 
Central African Republic; Chad; Chile; China; Colombia; Comoros; Congo; Costa Rica; Côte d 'Ivoire; Cuba; Curaçao; 
Democratic Republic of the Congo; Djibout i; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; El Salvador; Equatorial 
Guinea; Eswatini; Ethiopia; Fiji; Gabon; The Gambia; Georgia; Ghana; Grenada; Guatemala; Guinea; Guinea -
Bissau; Guyana; Haiti; Holy See; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; India; Indonesia; Iran; Iraq; Israel; Jamaica; 
Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Republic of Korea; the State of Kuwait; Kyrgyz Republic; Lao People 's Democratic 
Republic; Lebanese Republic; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Macao, China; Madagascar; Malawi; Malaysia; Maldives; Mali; 
Mauri tania; Mauritius; Mexico; Republic of Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Morocco; Mozambique; Myanmar; 
Namibia; Nepal; Nicaragua; Niger; Nigeria; North Macedonia; Oman; Pakistan; Panama; Papua New Guinea; 
Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Qatar; Russian Federation;  Rwanda; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent 
and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tomé and Principe; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Senegal; Serbia; Seychelles; Sierra 
Leone; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Africa; South Sudan; Sri Lanka; Suda n; Suriname; Syrian Arab 
Republic; The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Thailand; 
Timor -Leste; Togo; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; Tunisia; Türkiye; Turkmenistan; Uganda; Ukraine; United Arab 
Emirates; Uru guay; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Viet Nam; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe  
Brief description  Most of Switzerland 's technical cooperation in the area of IP is carried out through projects financed by SECO and 
implemented by the IPI, bas ed on the GPIPR. The GPIPR supports developing and least developed countries as well 
as emerging economies in building an efficient and effective protection of IP to support economic development and 
facilitate the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement of t he WTO.  IP-supportive regimes and systems are 
fundamental to creating sound framework conditions for sustainable trade. IP is central to promoting innovation and 
the development of new goods, production methods and services. IP provides the incentives nece ssary to pursue 
further research and development, and creative works. As such, it is part of a sound foundation for a prosperous 
private sector as it can attract international investors and protect local knowledge. IP is a central element of today 's 
world trade system and follows standards set out by the WTO 's TRIPS Agreement, the dedicated global instrument 
for IP. IP is also an important topic in trade negotiations to create a level playing field for all actors involved, and to 
ensure that counterfeit goo ds are not exchanged in legitimate trading channels. In order to facilitate the 
implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, developed countries, like Switzerland, have committed to providing 
technical and financial cooperation for developing and least developed  countries. The GPIPR program is SECO 's 
response to this commitment.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Relevant entities and private stakeholders in Albania, Colombia, Georgia, Myanmar, Peru, Serbia, South Africa, and 
Tunisia.  
Technical cooperation pro vider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO)   
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- 9 - Name of programme or project  Global Program for Intellectual Property Rights (GPIPR)  
Outputs or impact  The overall goal of the GPIPR is to contribute to an improved IP system in developing an d least developed countries 
as well as emerging economies. While IP offices may be the main direct beneficiaries of the program in most cases, 
other actors also benefit from the interventions under the GPIPR, such as ministries of agriculture, customs or p olice 
agencies, judicial institutions, universities, IP -related organizations and associations, SMEs, and wider producer 
groups. The GPIPR can offer support related to the following areas:  
A) Advising on IP policy, strategy and legislation for all IP righ ts; 
B) Improving IP administration and good governance;  
C) Assisting owners in the use IP rights;  
D) Improving enforcement of IP rights; and  
E) Facilitating knowledge and technology transfer.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/global -program -for-intellectual -
property -rights   
Contact point for further information  SECO: info.wehu.cooperation@seco.admin.ch   IPI: Martin Girsberger, martin.girsberger@ipi.ch  
  
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- 10 - Name of programme or project  Technopark Serbia 2 – IP Component (TES -2-IP) 
Date and end date  1 July 2020 - 31 December 2023  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Serbia  
Brief description  The Project Technopark Serbia – Boosting Exports through Technoparks (Phase II) is funded by the Swiss State 
Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by the Science and Technology Park Belgrade (STPB). 
The IP -related challenges observed during the planning of the second phase of the Technopark Project made it 
necessary to design a separate project specifically focusing on the IP component. The TES -2-IP contributes to the 
main Technopark Serbia Project by raising awareness about intellectual property rights (IPRs) within start -ups 
through technoparks and the Serbian Intellectual Property Office (IPO). To this end, various activities are being 
implemented that are primarily aimed at building the capacities o f an IP officer, relevant STPB staff and Niš and 
Čačak science and technology parks ' staff in IP and in high -tech businesses. The project provides support in the 
form of IP searches for start -ups. The start -ups will also receive training through workshops on IP strategies, while 
the IP rights of the selected start -ups with the most potential and/or need, in view of the relevant markets and the 
given IP landscape, will be protected.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Serbian Science and Technology Park Bel grade, Serbian start -ups, Serbian Intellectual Property Office  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  A number of project activities in the field of intellectual property were implemented within the framework of the 
second innovation cycle launched in the technoparks in Serbia:   
• Third public call for start -ups in the third innovation cycle of the "Raising Starts " program.  
• Third innovation cycle of the Raising Starts program launched.  
• 37 selected start -up teams out of 205 received training about IP rights, business, management and finance.  
• 8 workshops on IP "Staying ahead of the innovation game " for participants from three innovation parks in STP 
Belgrade, STP Niš and Čačak, online and in -person. 47 companies were trained.   
• 37 customized IP reports were produced for the start -ups with an analysis of their potential IP assets.  
• 12 start -up teams r eceived individual in -depth consultations.  
• Three workshops on "Introduction to the world of licences " for 11 start -ups. 
• Study mission of Serbian stakeholders from the technoparks, universities, IP office, research institutions and 
government to Switzer land to discuss how the IP system can contribute to better commercialization of research 
outcomes in Serbia.  
• The online version of the IP start -up guide was promoted by IPO Serbia and STP Belgrade.   
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/serbia -technopark?L=3   
Contact point for further information  Olga Allemann: Olga.Allemann@ipi.ch  
  
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- 11 - Name of programme or project  Swiss -South African Intellectual Property Project (SSAIP)  
Date and end d ate 17 August 2020 - 16 August 2024  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  South Africa  
Brief description  The overall objective of the SSAIP project is to contribute to South Africa 's socio -economic development through 
promoting the use and protection of intellectual property rights.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission 
(CIPC)  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swis s Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  Under Outcome A: National IP Policy is strengthened through consultations and workshops and sui generis 
geographical indic ations (GI) system developed:  
- A GI Expert Group was established to, inter alia, map stakeholders within the GI legal and institutional framework, 
conduct a non -exhaustive inventory to enable the study and categorization of potential GI products, and exam ine 
how to provide adequate protection within the current legal mechanisms available.  
• An exchange was held between the IPI, the CIPC and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural 
Development on the Swiss frameworks around GIs.  
• The Expert Group drafted and delivered considerations to South African policymakers.  
Under Outcome B: IPR registration and administration entities provide efficient and user -friendly services: Trainings 
were delivered to CIPC patent examiners on the use of pat ent search tools and databases.  
Under Outcome C: SMME -supporting agencies and IPR entities promote protection and use of IPRs to potential 
users of IPRs:   
- An exchange was held between the IPI and the CIPC on enforcement initiatives and the IPI 's STOP P IRACY 
campaign.  
• An SMME Working Group was established between the CIPC, the IPI, the Department of Small Businesses (DSBD) 
and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) to work, inter alia, on a stakeholder map and materials for 
SEDA and SMMEs.  
Under Outcome D: Increased commercialisation of IPRs as part of the innovation process: Workshops were given 
on the internal regulations and procedures for collecting societies.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/south -africa?L=3   
Contact point for further information  Georges Bauer: Georges.Bauer@ipi.ch  Olga Allemann: Olga.Alle mann@ipi.ch  Alexandra Nightingale: 
Alexandra.Nightingale@ipi.ch  
  
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- 12 - Name of programme or project  Myanmar -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (MYSIPP)  
Date and end date  1 January 2020 - 31 December 2022  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Myanmar  
Brief description  The Myanmar -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (MYSIPP) started in January 2020 and had an initial duration of 
three years until December 2022. The initial objective of MYSIPP was to contribute to the establishment of an IP 
system in Myanmar, which is an essential component to create favourable conditions for sustainable trade. Due to 
the political situ ation, and in line with the official Swiss position, no activities and trainings were carried out with 
government and government -related agencies in Myanmar after February 2021. Consequently, the project was put 
on hold with the exception of a limited numb er of trainings on geographical indications (GIs) provided exclusively 
to private -sector partners. Due to ongoing requests for support from private -sector partners in 2022, it was decided 
to extend the project duration until December 2024, adapt the goals and objectives, and reallocate funds 
accordingly.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Myanmar Coffee Association;  Myanmar Tea Association  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  The project focuses on strengthening the Myanmar coffee and tea sectors through capacity building on geographical 
indications. This includes regular trainings on GIs in  general, how to draft a book of specification, and best practices 
of GI management, quality control and GI commercialisation / market access.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperation/current -projects/myanmar   
Contact point for further information  Reto Meili: Reto.Meili@ipi.ch  
  
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- 13 - Name of programme or project  Georgian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (GESIP)  
Date and end date  1 July 2022 - 30 June 2025  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Georgia  
Brief description  The overall objective of the project is "to contribute to Georgia 's socio -economic development through a more 
effective use of GIs and by the government providing better services to Georgian IP users. " 
Beneficiary institution or audience  The National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia (Sakpatenti), Ministry of Environmental Protection and 
Agriculture (MEPA), and other selected public and private sector representatives  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal I nstitute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  GESIP provides support to the following identified priority areas: Legal support: Review of draft GI laws by the IPI 
experts and one online experience exchange webinar. Support on GIs to Sakpatenti and other governmental 
institutions: Two physical missions to Georgia and discussions with various officials regarding the mapping of the 
legal GI landscape in Georgia. Supporting MEPA by hav ing the draft specifications of one selected GI product 
reviewed by experts from the IPI and the Swiss Federal Office of Agriculture. Support on GIs to GI producers: Visits 
to various GI producers and start of engagement with them on the possibility of reg istering their products as GIs as 
well supporting the value chain of registered ones. Support to Sakpatenti 's Department of Inventions and New 
Varieties and Breeds: One online webinar on IP and Green Technology; Initial discussions/planning of trainings on  
FTO searches. Presentation by an IPI expert at an international conference on 'The Role of IP Offices in the National 
Innovation Ecosystem ' organised by Sakpatenti.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/de/recht -und-politik/entwicklungszusammenarbeit/laufende -projekte/georgien  
Contact point for further information  Georges Bauer: Georges.Bauer@ipi.ch  Zeinab Ghafouri: Zeinab.Ghafouri@ipi.ch  
  
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- 14 - Name of programme or project  Tunisian -Swiss Intellectual Property Project (TUSIP)  
Date and end date  1 January 2022 - 31 December 2025  
Beneficiary Member(s) or observer(s)  Tunisia  
Brief description  The project 's objective is to contribute to entrepreneurs, creators, researchers and producers in Tunisia benefitting 
from effective IP protection.  
Outcome A: Improved IP legislation and effective implementation of the National IP Strategy contribute to better 
framew ork conditions for investment and innovation.  
Outcome B: Well -functioning IPR registration and administration entities provide efficient and user -friendly 
services.  
Outcome C: IPR entities, private and academia representatives are strengthened in the pro motion of the 
acquisition, use, and transfer of IPRs to potential users.   
Outcome D: Enforcement of IPRs is strengthened.  
Beneficiary institution or audience  Institut National de la Normalisation et de la Propriété Intellectuelle (INNORPI) (Ministère de l'Industrie et des 
PME), Direction Générale de la Production Agricole (DGPA) (Ministère de l 'Agriculture), Organisme Tunisien des 
Droits d 'Auteur et des Droits Voisins (OTDAV) (Ministère de la Culture)  
Technical cooperation provider(s)  Implementing Agency: Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI); Funding Agency: State Secretariat for 
Economic Affairs (SECO)  
Outputs or impact  The implementation of the project is underway and activities are being planned.   
Under Outcome A:   
• Revision of law on patents  
• Revision of law on trademarks  
• Revision of law on industrial designs.  
• Conduct of 3 online webinars between IPI experts an d experts from INNORPI.  
• Revision of law on agri -food geographical indications and webinars on this topic.  
Furthermore, an IPI expert mission has been conducted to evaluate the Tunisian GI system.  
Under Outcome C: The IPI 's GI Impact Assessment Tool has been translated into French for usage by various 
stakeholders.  
Website for further information  https://www.ige.ch/en/law -and-policy/development -cooperatio n/current -projects/tunisia  
Contact point for further information  Nathalie Hirsig: Nathalie.hirsig@ipi.ch  Zeinab Ghafouri: Zeinab.ghafouri@ipi.ch  
 
 
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